What does a Rehabilitation Counselor do?

The overall purpose of a Rehabilitation Counselor is to help individuals with disabilities live the most independent and productive life possible. They work with people who have all types of disabilities, including physical, mental, developmental and emotional. Services provided by a Rehabilitation Counselor are customized to each person’s needs based on the type and severity of the disability and how it impacts their life. 

The Counselor evaluates strengths, limitations, abilities, skills, health, education and other relevant details to determine their needs. This information helps the Rehab Counselor identify programs, support services, assistive devices, training and other resources. They work closely with other members of the care team, such as doctors and psychologists, to coordinate care. For clients who have a newly diagnosed disability, the Rehabilitation Counselor can help them accept the diagnosis and adapt to the situation. 

Rehabilitation Counselor skills and qualifications

A Rehabilitation Counselor job description should identify the necessary skills and qualifications for the role. This might include:

• Compassion and empathy to understand what clients might be going through

• Interpersonal and communication skills, including listening to clients’ concerns and needs

• Knowledge of various disabilities and how they impact people emotionally, physically and mentally

• Ability to work well as part of a team

• Comfort with technology, including electronic health records

• Understanding of laws related to disabilities and how they might impact clients

• Attention to detail and observational skills

• Strong problem-solving skills

Rehabilitation Counselor salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Rehabilitation Counselor is $34,648 per year. Geographic location, education, experience and certification status can determine how much individual clerks earn.

Rehabilitation Counselor experience requirements

Rehabilitation Counselor degree programs typically include supervised clinical experience as part of the graduation requirements. Some employers prefer candidates with additional work experience in the field, but a degree and state licensure equips candidates with the basic skills they need to perform the job. If your organization works with people with a specific disability, you might prefer candidates with experience in that area. 

Rehabilitation Counselor education and training requirements

It’s common for employers to list a master’s or bachelor’s degree in a field related to rehabilitation in a Rehabilitation Counselor job description.  Some of these roles in certain states may require a license, which might include a minimum number of supervised clinical hours, an exam and ongoing continuing education requirements to maintain licensure. It’s also possible to earn additional certifications in the field. This includes the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor credential from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. You might include this credential in the preferences section of your Rehab Counselor job description.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the job description for a Rehabilitation Counselor isn’t a good fit for your needs, explore these additional job description samples for similar roles:

• Direct Support Professional

• Therapist

• Counselor

• Behavioral Specialist

Rehabilitation Counselor job description FAQs

What qualities make a good Rehabilitation Counselor?

A good Rehabilitation Counselor can understand the challenges of various disabilities and use their interpersonal skills to build a good relationship with clients. They’re strong advocates for their clients to ensure they get the care and services they need to live a meaningful life. Being creative and having effective problem-solving skills can also help create innovative solutions for challenges faced by clients.

What makes a good Rehabilitation Counselor job description?

An effective Rehabilitation Counselor job description details the type of clients served and the specific services the selected candidate will provide. It describes the company culture and what makes your organization unique. You might also include established partnerships, software programs used and resources the candidate will have access to as part of the job.  

What should you look for in a Rehabilitation Counselor resume?

Look for the required credentials based on your state’s requirements. Related work experience in a similar setting prepares a candidate to transition into the work duties of your role easily. Additional certifications and professional memberships also show knowledge and commitment to the field.